Return of the Crowned Heiress

Chapter 232

Felicia blinked in surprise before letting out a soft laugh. "If you don't want me to smile, shouldn't you be covering my mouth instead of my eyes? What's the point of " Before she could finish, Stephan leaned in and kissed her.

Her vision was still obscured, but she felt his warmth and the faint, clean scent he carried as he lightly pressed his lips to hers.

It was brief, fleeting, and when he pulled away, he removed his hand from her eyes, leaving her in stunned silence.

For a moment, Felicia wasn't sure if it had actually happened. If it weren't for the lingering warmth on her lips, she might have thought she had imagined it.

Stephan, ever composed, pulled out a chair beside her and sat down, his expression calm as if nothing had occurred. With a slight wave of his hand, he signaled to the staff waiting nearby.

Felicia ground her teeth in exasperation but chose not to confront him. His sudden, uncharacteristic gesture disrupted her thoughts, effectively pulling her mind away from the events of the evening.

Moments later, a quiet bustle began as staff members entered the rooftop. Some carried trays of fresh ingredients, others brought cooking utensils. A team of chefs and mixologists quickly set up an impromptu kitchen.

The quiet rooftop transformed into a fine dining experience, and within minutes, the enticing aroma of seared steak and foie gras filled the air.

Felicia's jaw almost dropped when she recognized the team of chefs. They belonged to the most exclusive private dining service in Khogend. Their head chef's schedule was so packed that even having the money to hire him didn't guarantee availability. Yet here he was.

The dishes were plated and served with flawless precision. The mixologist placed handcrafted cocktails on the table alongside them. The entire team departed just as silently as they had arrived, leaving only the faint echo of their movements behind.

Felicia took a bite of the steak. It was perfectly cooked, melting in her mouth with rich, savory flavors. "It's amazing," she admitted grudgingly.

she finished eating, she stood up, stretched her arms, and was about to say something

fireworks explode into a cascade of brilliant colors against the night sky. One bloom became two, then dozens, and finally,

red as the fireworks reflected off the glass windows. The

still, her

glowing lanterns rose from every direction around the rooftop. They floated gently into the

surprised

after the

every direction

lit up

in.

They moved perfect synchronization, forming intricate patterns and shapes

the horizon. Felicia stood frozen, her eyes

moonlight cast shadows and highlights across Stephan's face, accentuating his sharp, chiseled features and cool, flawless complexion. Even with the quiet night around them, he carried an

was no longer afraid of

expression softer than it had been in a

quiet force that demanded attention. He didn't say a word, but somehow,

...

at work coordinating the drones. Their faces strained with effort as they worked to

of them barked, sweat